Stoke swoop for Barcelona's Bojan

Bojan, 23, came through the youth ranks at Barca and became the youngest player to reach 100 games for the club before fading out of the first-team picture under former coach Pep Guardiola.

Having played on loan at Roma, AC Milan and Ajax in the past three seasons, Bojan has decided to try to breathe new life into his career by moving to the Premier League on a permanent deal with the Potters, who appear to have secured a major coup.

Hughes told Stoke's official website: "Anyone who knows European football will be aware of him as a player and the fact that he sees his future at Stoke City is really exciting and an endorsement of the club itself.

"He's desperate to prove himself in the Premier League and we're pleased to be able to offer him that platform. The time he spends with the squad in Germany will help him settle in and will give myself and the coaches the chance to take a good look at him."